Indo-Pak match under lights

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 22: Have you come across ESPN's telecast schedule for the ongoing continental Tri-series cricket between India, Pakista...

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 22: Have you come across ESPN’s telecast schedule for the ongoing continental Tri-series cricket between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka: If yes, then don’t believe that. The April 1 league match between India and Pakistan, to be played at the picturesque Punjab Cricket Association Stadium at S.A.S. Nagar, near here, will be a day-night affair, and not a day match, as handed out in the programme-list to ESPN and various other sponsors by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

This match will be the only one — apart from the April 4 final at Bangalore — which will be played under lights. Of the venues for the tourney, only the M A Chidambram Stadium in Bangalore and the PCA Stadium here have floodlights. Hence, the BCCI wanted all the league matches to be day games, even though coloured clothings and white ball will be used throughout. In fact, the coloured clothings and white ball concept’ is what the organisers, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), are banking upon. The International Cricket Conference (ICC) playing conditions clearly state it is the hosts’ pererrogative to use the facility of lights if coloured clothes and white ball are used in a match (or tournament).

“If we have the facility, why not use it? It will only add colour to what is already turning out to be Big Match. The crowds love it that way and the teams would also enjoy playing under lights here. Remember, it is getting warmer day by day, and evenings will be more pleasant. It will be a respite for the players and spectators alike,” said a senior PCA functionary.

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It is not for the first time that PCA would be organising a match in adverse weather conditions. PCA played hosts to two matches of the Independence Cup in May ’97 and one last May (Coca Cola Cup). However, all the three matches had a 5 p.m.-start, ending well past midnight.

This time the match would start at 2.30 p.m. (although PCA have seeked BCCI’s permission for a 3.30-start) with the first innings ending at 6 p.m.. The second team will start their innings at 6.40 after a 40-minute Supper break, with the match ending at 10.10 pm.

The stadium is being decked up for the occasion. The pitch is being worked upon and according to the curator, Daljit Singh, it is going to be firm and even, with batting holding advantage over bowling. Stands are also being spruced up, with fresh coat of paint being applied upon.

The security for the match is bound to very tight, especially with reports of the Pakistan Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif (Pak PM Nawaz Sharif’s brother) being invited by his Indian Punjab’s counterpart Prakash Singh Badal for the match.